Stanthorpe residents lose power after garbage truck crash

A large number of Stanthorpe residents have lost power after a garbage truck crashed into a power pole on Tuesday. Here’s what we know.

Thousands of Stanthorpe residents are without power after a garbage truck crashed into a power pole. Picture: Lillian Watkins.

Thousands of Southerns Downs’ residents lost power after a garbage truck hit a power pole.

A Queensland Fire Department spokeswoman said crews responded to reports of a power pole sparking due to a traffic incident on corner of Folkestone and Barton streets in Stanthorpe just after 8am on Tuesday.

It is understood no injuries have been reported.

Ergon Energy Network crews have arrived at the site and were in the process of fixing the issue, after receiving reports of wires fallen down on a vehicle.

It was initially believed more than 1600 residents in the Stanthorpe, Greenlands, Broadwater and Amiens areas have been affected.

The incident has now been isolated to 189 residents in the vicinity of Folkestone St.

A garbage truck has taken out power lines after it hit a pole on the corner of Folkestone and Barton Street in Stanthorpe on Tuesday. Photo: Ergon Energy

Ergon Energy Network Darling Downs area manager Jason Rowe said crews were working to make the site safe and then make necessary repairs to restore power.

Mr Rowe said it was a timely reminder that heavy machinery operators needed to take extra care when working around powerlines.

“Incidents like this one can be avoided with a bit more attention given by the driver,” Mr Rowe said.

“Sometimes people are so focused on a task they don’t see the inherent dangers around them.

“It just takes a momentary lapse in concentration and suddenly you’re facing the risk of electrocution, so it’s important to take the time to assess the area you’re working in, especially the location of any power poles or lines.”

Mr Rowe said it was also important to highlight what motorists should do if they find themselves in the situation where power lines have fallen on their vehicle.

“The best way to stay safe is to stay, call, wait. that is, stay in the vehicle, call triple-0 and wait for emergency services and our crews to arrive,” he said.

“Electricity will always take the shortest route to earth and if you step out of a vehicle that has power running through it, that person will become that conduit and risk severe injury or much worse.”

A Southern Downs council spokesman said council was aware of the incident involving a Cleanaway waste disposal truck.

“We are currently working with Ergon Energy, the Queensland Police Service, and our contractor Cleanaway,” the spokesman said.

The spokesman said council is unable to comment on the driver as they are not an employee.

“Council is committed to investigating the situation and will work with all parties involved to ensure that steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.”

It is unclear how long residents in these areas will be affected by the outage.

Originally published as Stanthorpe residents lose power after garbage truck crash